Transport

In many towns and cities outside London, we have come to associate our freedom to move conveniently between work, home and shops with use of a private car.

Our lives are busy, complicated and demanding, and in badly designed urban areas, a car feels essential.

However, with transport accounting for around a quarter of the UK’s carbon emissions and rising, with road transport responsible for 86 per cent of that, sustainable transport planning is fundamental to meeting carbon reduction targets.

Coupled with spatial planning, transport planning can also improve health, the economy and quality of life.

There are four ways to reduce transport carbon emissions, and all need to be pursued:

fewer trips

shorter trips

using more sustainable modes of transport

increasing vehicle efficiency and occupancy.

Linking transport and urban planning can greatly enhance the effectiveness of policies to achieve the first three objectives – for example by thinking strategically about:

the role of street patterns and design in making it easier to walk, cycle or take public transport to school, work, leisure or shopping, rather than drive.

The benefits of sustainable transport planning also include a healthier environment through less air pollution. There are fewer road traffic accidents and the growing restrictions placed on children’s lives and movement can begin to be eased. There is a more resilient local economy through increased footfall, a positive effect on property values and reduced costs from traffic congestion. There is improved social cohesiveness with open and public spaces all more inviting to go to and linger in with less traffic. People have better journeys, by whichever mode, with fewer cars on the road.